Byzantines

Once again, Averil Cameron has produced a superb work. Be sure to understand what this book is offering: it is not a typical history of the Byzantine state. If that is what you're looking for, search out Ostrogorsky or Norwich, and while both are dated and the latter is a little simplistic, they follow in the more traditional vein of state histories. Here, Cameron writes thematically, dealing with a wide variety of topics on the Byzantine Empire, but mostly focusing on its people. However, this is also not a "people's history" for she blends the common and the elite very well, discussing topics such as military organization, art and the placement of Byzantium in European and Near-Eastern history. What makes this book exceptional is its value to the layman. Someone who knows almost nothing about Byzantium can read this book and come away with a good overview of a wide variety of topics in Byzantine history. The fact that Cameron is one of the most well-known and widely-respected Byzantinists today is significant, as she presents modern research in all areas of the book. It is more than just a thematic history though, as it is also an introduction to Byzantine Studies. Cameron discusses the development of the field and also introduces readers to its most important scholars and works in the text, so that it does not force the casual reader to consult the bibliography and wonder about the quality of the source. While this is primarily an introductory work, more advanced students may find it useful as a handbook for referencing current opinions on a wide variety of topics. It's cheap, it's an easy read and reflects current trends in Byzantine scholarship and discusses many of the issues presented to students who are trying to understand exactly what Byzantium was. Highly recommended.